Former Energy Secretary Steven Chu will join the board of a company that got millions of dollars from the Department of Energy during Chu’s tenure and is backed by some of the nation’s most politically connected investors.

The Energy Department is defending its decision to award nearly $100 million to a major green energy company that has been investigated by two federal agencies and says it may be forced to declare bankruptcy.

A high-technology electric car manufacturer and its related battery manufacturer are suing the Department of Energy, alleging the department improperly denied the companies a loan and leaked patented technology to competitors.

The Department of Energy awarded lighting giant Philips the $10 million L Prize despite the fact that the winning energy-efficient bulb failed to meet several contest criteria requirements, according to documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) grilled Energy Secretary Steven Chu over the political connections of many green energy companies that received Energy Department loans, at a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Tuesday.